MEET THE TEAM
Vickie Wilson, Owner
What started as a dream for Vickie, turned into a quickly growing reality. Dogs Galore was started as a way to spend more time with her personal dogs- and in less than 5 years, she has 239 dogs visiting on a weekly basis.
Vickie’s CV is far too long to list, as well as winning most national titles in Dog Agility, she has dabbled in most things dogs! Obedience, Rally, Tux wonder dog… You name it! She is a highly sought-after trainer, and we are lucky enough to have her in the North Island after she started out life in Canterbury. Vickie currently has 4 dogs, 3 heading dogs (Trigger, Wheedle, & Alaska), and a Beardie (Cillia) You couldn’t ask for more from a business owner, she is very hands-on but allows our staff to get on with their jobs. We consider ourselves pretty lucky 😊
Savanna, Manager
Howdy! My name is Savanna but please just call me Sav! I've always had a passion for dogs and learning what makes them tick so at 15 years old I completed an animal care and behaviour course at Wintec and went on to my first dog job in a kennels in 2012. I've been working with dogs ever since! I stumbled across Dogs Galore in 2017 and despite having a few years away due to a relocation, DG has always been my number one and I'm happy to be home, it is truly the best dog daycare there is and it really makes my day to see all the dogs so happy to see me on pick up!
I live on a lifestyle block in Rotoorangi and compete in agility with my Kelpie - Vulpix (Pixie) so in my spare time you can catch me training, doing chores on the farm or cuddled up with a good book.
Angela, aka Ang
Hi, Im Angela. I have been working at Dogs Galore since October 2022.
Im born and bred in Wellington, living in the Waikato for the last 20 years. I live on a beautiful farm just around the corner from the DG base, with my 3 German Shepards and 1 Huntaway (aka the weird uncle).
Ive had varied jobs over the years mainly as a PA, before going back outside as a farmhand/pre-training rider for thoroughbreds. Spending the last years dry stock farming before coming to Dogs Galore. On my weekends I love to hang out with my dogs, ride my motorcycle and potter about the farm.
I am having a fantastic time at Dogs Galore, I look forward to seeing all the excited dogs at pick up and hanging out with them!
Mackenzie, aka Macca.
My family dog Baxta is one of the originals at DG so, I’ve been seeing Vickie and the “School bus” since my primary uniform!! I finished school in 2020 at TAC and began a year of Vet Nursing in 2021 at Wintec, through this I came to do work experience for my course at Dogs Galore and have never looked back! Now I’m a full time van driver and groomer at DG and you’ll catch me looking after the daycare dogs, or in the groom room knee deep in soap bubbles and dog hair! At home we have 5 chickens and 2 Guinea pigs, Dave and Winston who keep me busy on my days off, as well as watering my many many houseplants, and looking after our veggie gardens.
Vicky, aka Vic
Hi I'm Vic! I live in Pirongia not far from DG headquarters with my two teenage children. For the last 25 years I have worked on dairy farms and in childcare but working with dogs has been a dream of mine since I was child participating in the dog trials in the open hills of Kawhia. In 2023 I finally decided to chase my dream and completed an animal care course at Open Polytechnic and then managed to land a job at the coolest dog daycare in the North Island!
Grace
Hi! I’m Grace, I’ve been working part time here since July 2024, my role includes bathing and drying dogs to be groomed, cleaning and tidying vans and dog areas and of course spending time with all of your wonderful fur babies! I am also familiar with the Pirongia 'school bus' run so you'll see me out and about from time to time! I’ve been local to the Waipa area for the last 10 years, finishing school at TAC in 2021 so I have been busy finding my feet since then. I have two dogs, Jemmy the Golden Retriever and Louie the Bichon x Maltese who is actually a sibling to two of the regular daycare kids! He comes to work with me most days and often makes the Facebook photos too. I’m very excited to continue learning through my journey here at DG.
Robbie
Hey! I'm Robbie! And yes I am the only male on the team here at DG! I grew up as a farming kid living in the King Country so have always had a love for all animals but I have a particular affinity with dogs. I've been lucky enough to have worked with dogs in many different places over the years and have a pretty good understanding of their wants and needs. I joined the team here in October of 2024 and have been warmly welcomed by all the dogs and staff, and I'm very excited to see what the future holds for me here!